Ontario Government Supports Accessible Renovations at The Gathering Place
St. Paul’s Church in Warkworth were given a lift last year as they received a $64,600 grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation which has improved the accessibility and safety of The Gathering Place.
On Friday, MPP David Piccini participated in the Grand Re-opening of the Gathering Place to help celebrate the many important upgrades to this popular and important community centre. This was made possible thanks to a $64,600 Capital grant from the provincial government’s Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) that was awarded last fall.
“Ontario recognizes the importance of community hubs like The Gathering Place, especially in growing rural areas,” said David Piccini, MPP for Northumberland-Peterborough South. “This investment has supported exceptional renovations which make The Gathering Place a safer and more welcoming location that meets the expectations of this community.”
As a result of the OTF grant, access to the Gathering Place has been improved with the addition of two automatic doors at the entrance, as well as two new automatic doors for its accessible washrooms. The grant enabled the organization to purchase new carpeting in the main room and new laminate flooring in the entry way. The Gathering Place has also acquired a new HVAC system to make the venue a more suitable location for community events.
In addition to recent painting and lighting updates, the changes and additions will provide greater comfort, safety and flexibility for celebrations, fundraisers, meetings and new events.
“These upgrades and improvements will greatly assist in our mission to provide modern, safe facilities for the organizations and families of Warkworth and beyond,” said Bryce Allen, Chair of the Stewards and Trustees of St. Pauls Warkworth. “We very much appreciate this generous capital grant.”
The Gathering Place has been an increasingly popular venue for many types of activities for over 50 years. Supported by a commercial kitchen it has hosted fundraisers and children’s workshops for the vibrant arts and heritage community, many types of family celebrations, and dinner meetings for busy community service organizations. The newest activity will be Line Dancing, coming soon!
Bookings can be made by calling 705 924 2840 or by email stpaulswarkworth@gmail.com
The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is an agency of the Ontario government with a mission to build healthy and vibrant communities across the province. Last year, OTF invested more than $110M into 1,044 community projects and multi-sector partnerships. Projects aim to enhance economic well-being, foster more active lifestyles, support child and youth development, provide spaces for people to come together and connect, and create a more sustainable environment. Visit otf.ca to learn more.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love